ACTIVA-CATIE Launches Calls to Promote Sustainable Entrepreneurship

• The ventures must generate social, environmental, and economic benefits, and their actions must be aligned with Costa Rica's decarbonization plan.

In an effort to promote innovation and sustainability in rural ventures, ACTIVA-CATIE has launched several calls to award non-reimbursable seed capital.

These initiatives aim to support entrepreneurs at various stages of development and in diverse economic sectors, promoting social, environmental, and economic benefits simultaneously. Below are the details of each call.

Vladimir Valera, director of ACTIVA-CATIE, assured that the entire team is very excited about this new cycle of calls to rural entrepreneurs in Costa Rica, where more than 70 ventures will be beneficiaries of seed capital resources from the Development Banking System and with the necessary accompaniment and mentorships.

"For five years now, we have been working uninterruptedly supporting rural ventures throughout the Costa Rican territory, thereby contributing to national policies of decarbonization, bioeconomy, and circular economy; however, what fills us with satisfaction the most are the productive and socioeconomic transformations we have achieved with the entrepreneurs, and we are sure that this year they will be even greater, thanks to the experience we have gained," said Valera.

ACTIVA is a laboratory that supports entrepreneurship and innovation for rural development, while also aiming for sustainable management of natural resources, decarbonization, and biodiversity conservation in Latin America and the Caribbean, facilitating networking among sector actors through resource mobilization, search and selection of new ventures, training and formation, granting of non-reimbursable seed capital, impact measurement, and alliances.

5th ACTIVA-CATIE Seed Capital Call

This call is aimed at Costa Rican and foreign entrepreneurs with residency seeking to boost their sustainable businesses. There are two categories:

• Inclusion: For rural ventures in their early stages. Selected ventures will receive a benefit of ₡4,000,000.
• Transformative-Rural: For innovative rural ventures with growth potential, with a benefit of ₡7,000,000.

Both categories must implement actions aligned with Costa Rica's decarbonization plan. The deadline to apply is August 18, 2024. Applications can be made at activa.catie.ac.cr/web/convocatorias.

The businesses must belong to the areas of agriculture, livestock, forestry, rural tourism, technological innovations (agritech), biomaterials, and bioinputs.

ACTIVA-CATIE Call: Transformative - Acceleration

This initiative seeks to accelerate the growth of rural companies with high social and environmental impact. The benefits include:

• Seed capital of up to ₡13,000,000.
• Business and sustainability advice and support.
• Opportunities for visibility and connection with businesses and investment.
• Participation in ACTIVA-CATIE business events.

The requirements include completing an initial registration form, being registered as SMEs or PYMPAs, and a 10% counterpart in cash. The seed capital must be executed within a period of 12 months. The deadline to apply is September 1, 2024.

Adapt-ACTIVA Call

In collaboration with various organizations, ACTIVA-CATIE launches the Adapt-ACTIVA call, aimed at sustainable ventures in districts where the EbA LAC program operates. Selected entrepreneurs will receive:

• Free training in entrepreneurship and innovation.
• Advice for the development of business proposals.
• In-person and virtual workshops.
• Up to ₡7,000,000 in seed capital funds.

The deadline to apply is August 18, 2024, and interested individuals must check the participating districts in the application form at activa.catie.ac.cr/web/convocatorias.

TRANSFORMA-INNOVA Program Call – Musaceae Sector

This call is designed for entrepreneurs in the musaceae sector, with a special emphasis on women, youth, and indigenous groups. There are two categories:

• Inclusion: For rural ventures in the musaceae sector that are starting. Benefit of ₡4,000,000.
• Transformative-Rural: For ongoing rural ventures needing investment for sustainability. Benefit of ₡7,000,000.

The ventures must generate social, environmental, and economic benefits, and the actions must be aligned with Costa Rica's decarbonization plan. The deadline to apply is August 18, 2024.

ACTIVA-CATIE invites all entrepreneurs to apply and take advantage of these opportunities to take their businesses to the next level and contribute to the sustainability of Costa Rica.

For more information and applications, visit activa.catie.ac.cr/web/convocatorias.